More than 100 people took part in a student-led rally on the MU campus Friday night in support of Eric Garner and Michael Brown, two unarmed African Americans who were both killed by police that did not face charges for the incidents.
The students met at Tiger Plaza on Rollins St. and chanted while marching in the rain to the columns. They eventually stopped at the steps of Jesse Hall where they participated in a candle-lit vigil.
Jonathan Butler is a graduate student at MU and is also a member of the National Alliance for Black Student Educators. Butler says it’s important to get involved.
“Everyone can be a part of this movement: whether it’s the 43 students missing in Mexico, whether it’s the strikes going on in Syria, or if it’s the injustice going on with police brutality. Find something that matters in this world and that could help somebody else and make this world better, and fight for it,” Butler said.
Several students read names of unarmed black men who have been killed in the past few years. Others shared personal testimonies of their lifelong battles with racism.
The students will meet on Sunday to plan and organize their next event. They will be updating their Facebook page, “MU4MikeBrown.”